Erecting a New US-China Relationship Impacting Taiwan's Status Quo

  Erecting a New US-China Relationship Impacting Taiwan's Status Quo

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

September 3, 2017

 Translation of an Excerpt

Not long ago, US Secretary of State Tillerson revealed that the Trump government is attempting to discuss with China a new framework of relations, hoping in the next several decades, it will seek maximum interests for the United States. If Tilleson's statement becomes a reality, cross-Strait relations and Taiwan-US relations will undoubtedly be affected. For Taiwan, this is quite significant.

The framework of China-US relations is inadequate to cope with the status quo; the United States’ needs for China’s cooperation have also been increasing. If the United States agrees to reach a new framework of relations with China, trying to maintain the best interests for the next five decades, US-Taiwan relations and cross-Strait relations would change as a consequence; Taiwan's status quo would be radically impacted.

When the United States rethinks its framework of relations with China, it would naturally be a significant warning signal for Taiwan. 35 years ago, the China market was not that important, the South China Sea was a US sphere of influence, and the North Korean question was not that urgent. Now amid China's global participation and its stronger international role, Taiwan was already being isolated diplomatically; once the United States makes a minor concession, it could possibly cause serious harm to Taiwan.

President Trump’s daughter Ivan and her husband will visit the Mainland, paving the way for Trump’s visit in November. High echelons of the US and China would likely be discussing a new "one-China policy," if a consensus is reached, both countries would release a “fourth US-China communiqué" during Trump’s visit. Once there should be any changes in US policy toward Taiwan, the changes would most likely be in a direction detrimental to Taiwan; otherwise, China would not accept them. And if the United States was willing to talk, the starting point would not be giving Taiwan more guarantees, but rather hoping, in future global affairs and changes in the East Asia situation, to expand the depth of cooperation with China so that China becomes a source of help and not a force of resistance. If Taiwan does not want to be harmed, it must seriously face these realities.

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